Best DDR Socket A board...

[nOfXite03]

I want to order a new DDR socket A board, but there are so many to choose from. Can anyone recommend a decent board? The Abit KG7-RAID looks good, but I don't need RAID and have heard about compatibility issues. Thanks.

 

[rickn]

I am building a machine with a DFI AK76-SN board. No sound, 6pci, AMD 760 chipset. Looks like a very well made board, HUGE Caps on it. Suppose to be a very stable, and a little faster than the Gigabyte GA-7DXR

Friend of mine got the Epox board, not any trouble with that one either and a lot people are having a good time with it. I just needed a 760 based board with NO built in sound, DFI is the only one right now

 

[nOfXite03]

I looked at that one- thanks. It seems that to get the 4GB cap you have to use ECC in 2 2GB strips... (unrealistic??)

 

[heffe734]

Epox 8k7a user here...very stable and i'm running 1.6 fine. Makes OCing very easy...hit a few dipswitches and maybe set like 2 jumpers which is not hard @ all. 120 bucks man it's a bargain...way better then overpaying for an asus a7m.

 

[EglsFly]

I am also looking for the best DDR board.
Considering the Asus A7M266...

 

[amb#cog]

I went Epox. Cheaper, highly rated, and actually has multiplier adjustments on it!!! :Q

 

[EglsFly]

Now looking into this Epox EP-8K7A.
I want to match it up with an Athlon DDR 1.2GHz.
Their document doesn't show this as tested/supported:
ftp://ftp.epox.com/support/motherboard/cpu-support.pdf

Anybody know if this combo would work?

 

[AppleTalking]

I have an Epox 8K7A with an AMD Athlon 1.2GHz. CPU and 256MB DDR memory. Trust me, it works.

I assume, though, that you're referring to the Thunderbird version of the 1.2GHz., not the Athlon MP 1.2GHz.. I haven't heard anything about the MP chip on this board yet, but the Thunderbird (regular version, costs about $105) works perfectly.

Nick

 

[Zuluwarrior]

1.2/266's are completely compatible with the 8k7a
all that table means is that "THEY" haven't tried it
as of that table's date which may have been before
1.2's were out in number.

I am running a 1.2 on an 8k7a at 1.4 with nothing
but a simple dip switch setting.....no fsb adjusted,
just did 10.5x133 multiplier and the 1.2 is factory unlocked

I would HIGHLY recommend takin that 20 you save on the board
and investing in a good heatsink like the globalwin CAK38

keepin my temp at 35 degrees even after a hardfought game of quake
team arena


COPPER RULES

 

[amb#cog]

I've got a 1.2 on mine, and set it to 1.4 just like Zuluwarrior did. Works great.

 

[NJArtist]

While we're on the topic of Socket A boards...I just got an A7M266 which is not POSTing for me with a 1.4GHz/266 TBird...Since I don't have another CPU to test, I would appreciate if anyone knows whether or not the A7M supports a 10.5 multiplier (not in manual or website). The manual only lists up to 9.0x133 (1.2GHz), which makes me wonder whether the CPU is busted or the CPU is not supported by the Mobo (which I doubt, but hope for). If it does, then my CPU is busted....

 

[EglsFly]

Glad to hear that the 1.2GHz will work in the Epox 8K7A.
Thanks for the feedback.
I just ordered the hardware.

I didn't go over the top with the heatsink/fan.
I ordered: Cooler Master DP5-6H11 CPU FAN FOR AMD socket A (good for 1.2GHz)

Anybody ever tried the Thermaltake Volcano II, that one seems pretty big: 60x60x69mm
Was going to go for that one, but was out of stock.

Maybe I will try a bigger HSF later, once I get everything up and running.

Whats the most effective HSF that will fit on the Epox 8K7A?

 

[SpeedTrap]

the 8K7A just rocks. 100% stable

 

[kennyG]

A freind of mind bought a Biostar DDR board and has a 1.2 OCed to 1.4.runs great form what I,ve seen

 

[Bingo13]

Epox 8K7A/(+) is a very good board and for the money is probably your best bet. All of the AMD760 based boards offer very good performance, stability, and quality. If you are interested in the VIA KT266 chipset look at the Gigabyte 7VTX, cannot say enough good things about this board.

 

[MetroRider]

NJArtist: I have a tbird 1333 on my A7M266, and it uses the 10x multiplier, so I am sure it can do more. It should be able to do 12.5 or 13 so it can run the tbird 1300's running on the 100 MHz fsb (200 ddr). Just a little info for ya...

 

[Boonesmi]

another vote for the epox 8k7a

 

[Bingo13]

The Asus A7M266 has no issues running a 1.4, in fact had mine up to 1.575 for awhile.

 

[novalogic88]

if i was you, i would of gone for a MSI k7 master since i put stability in front, also its not a bad board.